Irrigation bag support

ABSTRACT

A support for an irrigation bag. The support includes a base for positioning on a floor. Extending upwardly from one end of the base at an incline is a brace for receiving an irrigation bag. Slidably positioned in the brace is a cup within which the bottom of the irrigation bag is positioned. The cup is adjustably secured within the brace of by a releasable fastener.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to supports and, more specifically, to stands and brackets having tilted supporting surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During a colostomy, a stoma is typically provided through the abdominal wall of an individual to permit his bowels to be emptied. Such a stoma may be temporary in duration or permanent depending upon the nature and extent of the individual's affliction. Regardless of the stoma's likely duration, it must be meticulously cared for. When the stoma is new, the surrounding tissue is particularly susceptible to infection as the bowels provide a significant source of bacteria and other irritants. Of course, a colostomy eliminates the control that the individual once had over his bowels.

Through trial and error, a colostomy patient must manually void his own bowels by means of irrigation. This procedure is similar to one employed in giving an enema. Here, a measured quantity of fluid is introduced into the bowels through the stoma. After a predetermined time, the fluid is permitted to escape into a collection or irrigation bag, thereby cleansing the bowels. During the procedure, the patient must avoid leakage from the bag and the remainder of his irrigation equipment that can cause a mess in addition to bodily infection and irritation. The patient does not need the hassle of an unwieldy irrigation bag throughout the procedure.

The typical colostomy patient sits upon a toilet or stool during irrigation. Proper drainage of the irrigation fluid from the bowels requires that the irrigation bag be at a slightly lower elevation than the stoma. Usually, a patient holds the bag in his hands to maintain the proper elevation. Often this is difficult for aged and infirm individuals to accomplish.

Some have proposed supports for irrigation bags, but these have been complex and cumbersome affairs. They typically suspend a bag from above, dangling it from a hook unsteadily above the ground at the side of a patient. Because they do not meet the needs of most colostomy patients, these supports have not seen widespread commercial acceptance. In fact, many colostomy patients find it easier to rest an irrigation bag on the floor rather than use the bag supports that are currently available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the problems associated with the use of the known irrigation bag supports, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a support that stably supports an irrigation bag at an appropriate elevation and closely adjacent to a seated, colostomy patient during an irrigation procedure. The support maintains the irrigation bag slightly below the patient and at an incline for proper drainage and easy handling of the bag. If necessary, a portion of the support can be pivoted by a user to more precisely position the top of the irrigation bag near his stoma.

It is another object of the invention to provide an irrigation bag support of the type described that is easily disassembled for compact transport and storage.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a support of the type described that can catch small spills from an irrigation bag used therewith.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an irrigation bag support for the purposes described which is rugged, inexpensive to manufacture and fully dependable in use.

Briefly, the irrigation bag support in accordance with this invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a base including a plate and a mounting ring affixed to the plate and extending upwardly therefrom. A brace is secured to the base and includes a retaining ring snugly, yet releasably and rotatably, engaged with the mounting ring and a trough affixed to the retaining ring and extending upwardly at an incline therefrom. The trough is adapted to cradle an irrigation bag therein. A cup is slidably positioned within the trough for receiving the bottom of the irrigation bag. A releasable fastener selectively secures the cup within the trough.

The forgoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be more readily described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an irrigation bag support in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the irrigation bag support of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the irrigation bag support holding an irrigation bag that is partially filled with irrigation fluids.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the irrigation bag support.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the FIGS., an irrigation bag support in accordance with the present invention is shown at 10. Support 10 includes a base 12 for positioning upon a horizontal surface such as a bathroom floor. Extending upwardly from one end of base 12 at an incline is a brace 14 for receiving and supporting an irrigation bag 16. Slidably positioned in brace 14 is a cup 18 within which the bottom of irrigation bag 16 is positioned. Cup 18 is adjustably secured within brace 14 by a releasable fastener 20.

Base 12 includes a rectangular plate 22 sized to retain support 10 in an upright orientation during normal conditions of use. Firmly affixed to one end of plate 22 and extending upwardly therefrom is a mounting ring 24. Preferably, there are no gaps or spaces between the bottom of ring 24 and the top of plate 22 so that, should irrigation bag 16 ever leak, the leaked liquids will be trapped within ring 24.

Brace 14 has a retaining ring 26 sized to snugly encircle mounting ring 24 and an elongated trough 28 affixed to, and extending upwardly at an incline from, retaining ring 26. As shown, the inner diameter of retaining ring 26 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of mounting ring 24 thereby enabling brace 14 to be removed from base 12 so that support 10 can be disassembled and transported in a compact fashion. Additionally, brace 14 can be pivoted about ring 24 to place irrigation bag 16 in a comfortable position for a user. Trough 28, on the other hand, has an inner diameter that is sized to easily receive irrigation bag 16 and a length sufficient to support bag 16 at an incline.

Cup 18 is movably positioned within trough 28. Cup 18 has an outer diameter that is substantially equal to the inner diameter of trough 28 so that it cannot easily turn upside down once joined together. One portion 20A of releasable fastener 20 is secured about the exterior of cup 18 and comprises a pair of bands of loop-type fastening material respectively positioned at the top and bottom of cup 18. As is well known, loop-type fastening material is also known as “Velcro” pile material and has a dense mat of small, uncut loops 30 formed a thread.

Another portion 20B of releasable fastener 20 is secured within trough 28. Portion 20B comprises three, parallel strips of hook-type fastening material, a.k.a. “Velcro” hook material, having a plurality of transverse lines of hooks 32 spaced along its length. The ends of hooks 32 are turned inwardly so as to catch in loops 30 of portion 20A when fastening portions 20A and 20B are pressed together. Preferably, the strips of hook-type fastening material extend from the bottom of trough 28 to a point proximate the top of trough 28 so that fastener portion 20A can be fastened at various points along the length of trough 28. Thus, cup 18 can be releasably secured within trough 28 at various heights to accommodate irrigation bag 16 in different stages of being filled.

The use of bag support 10 is straightforward. First, base 12 is positioned upon a floor and retaining ring 26 is slipped over mounting ring 24 so as to attach brace 14 to base 12. Then, cup 18 is secured by means of releasable fastener 20 within trough 28 at a desired height. Irrigation bag 16, next, is positioned within trough 28 with its bottom end located within cup 18. Now, a normal irrigation procedure is conducted by a user with the irrigation bag 16 being filled through its spout 34. With irrigation bag 16 supported and retained in a comfortable position, the possibility of spilling the contents of bag 16 is greatly reduced.

Should irrigation bag 16 fill to the point where it is drooping over the top of trough 28, the position of cup 18 can be adjusted. To this end, cup 18 is grasped in the hand of a user and is pulled outwardly from trough 28. This will cause hooks 32 and loops 30 to disengage. The transverse line of disengagement will progress lengthwise of the interlocked fastening portions 20A and 20B so that they will separate smoothly. Once separated, cup 18 is moved downwardly and hooks 32 and loops 30 are pressed together once again. In the unlikely event that cup 18, brace 14 or base 12 become soiled by the spilled contents of irrigation bag 16, such can be easily washed with soap and water and reused when needed.

While the invention has been described with a high degree of particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An irrigation bag support, comprising: a base; a brace extending upwardly from said base at an incline, said brace being adapted to receive and support an irrigation bag; a cup slidably positioned within said brace for receiving the bottom of the irrigation bag; and, a releasable fastener selectively securing said cup within said brace.
 2. An irrigation bag support, comprising; a base including: a plate; and, a mounting ring affixed to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom; a brace secured to said base, said brace including: a retaining ring snugly, yet releasably and rotatably, engaged with said mounting ring; and, a trough affixed to said retaining ring and extending upwardly at an incline therefrom, said trough being adapted to cradle an irrigation bag therein; a cup slidably positioned within said brace for receiving the bottom of the irrigation bag; and, a releasable fastener selectively securing said cup within said brace.
 3. The irrigation bag support in accordance with claim 2 wherein said releasable fastener is a hook and loop-type fastener.
 4. An irrigation bag support, comprising: a base including: a plate; and, a mounting ring affixed to said plate and extending upwardly therefrom; a brace secured to said base, said brace including: a retaining ring snugly, yet releasably and rotatably, engaged with said mounting ring; and, a trough affixed to said retaining ring and extending upwardly at an incline therefrom, said trough being adapted to cradle an irrigation bag therein; a cup slidably positioned within said brace for receiving the bottom of the irrigation bag; and, a releasable fastener selectively securing said cup within said trough, said releasable fastener including: a first portion secured to said cup having a dense mat of small, uncut loops; a second portion adapted to mate with, and releasably adhere to, said first portion, said second portion being secured within said trough and having a plurality of hooks being releasably fastenable to said loops of said first portion. 